The Dutch regional jet that survived its manufacturer's bankruptcy
In short: The Fokker 100 was designed to revolutionize regional travel with a stretched fuselage and digital cockpit. While its parent company collapsed in 1996, the aircraft's robust design has kept it flying in diverse roles, from supporting Australian mining to serving as a high-tech flying testbed for fighter jet systems.
Developed by the Netherlands-based Fokker, the Fokker 100 was an evolution of the F28. It featured a fuselage stretched by 5.7 meters to increase passenger capacity from 85 to 109. To support this increased weight, the aircraft received a wider wing, a wider horizontal stabilizer, and strengthened landing gear. It also moved to a digital flight deck featuring the Rockwell Collins DU-1000 system and provided a 30% increase in cruise efficiency through its redesigned wing. The aircraft's design includes a T-tail configuration similar to the Douglas DC-9 family. Additionally, the cockpit was updated with an autopilot/flight director capable of CAT III autoland. Its new wing features larger ailerons and extended leading and trailing edges to improve aerodynamics.
The aircraft's commercial history is marked by massive orders and sudden exits. In March 1989, American Airlines placed an order valued at an estimated $3.1 billion—the largest single order in Fokker's history and the largest ever for a Dutch company. However, despite this success, Fokker faced mounting financial losses, leading to bankruptcy in March 1996. Production finally ceased in 1997 after 283 aircraft were delivered. The aircraft's maiden flight occurred on 30 November 1986. Its first deliveries to Swissair commenced in February 1988.
Even after production ended, the Fokker 100 has maintained a persistent presence. While many airlines retired the type during the late 2000s Great Recession, it remains active in Australia, supporting the domestic mining industry with roughly 1,200 flight hours per year. In more specialized roles, the French DGA Essais en Vol has utilized a Fokker 100 as a flying testbed, outfitting it with components from the Dassault Rafale fighter, such as its radar and targeting pods. In 2000, American Airlines refitted several units into an all-business class configuration. The aircraft's service life has also been impacted by regulatory actions, such as the indefinite suspension of its operations in Kazakh airspace following a crash in 2019.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Fokker 100
- Also: Wikidata — Fokker 100 · CC0
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